New AR is finally complete

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esheato

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Only took me a year to piece it together!

Anyway, here she is:

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It's my SPR-ish clone (Mk 12, Mod 0 with a few improvements).

Parts breakdown:

Doublestar lower (milspec is milspec IMHO)
DPMS LPK with a JP single stage trigger (2.2 lbs)
Magpul MIAD grip, enhanced trigger guard, UBR stock and lots o' PMAGS
Troy Battlesight on the rear
Larue M4 SPR 1.5 optics mount
NF 2.5-10x32 NP-R2 with Zero Stop illuminated scope
BCM 18" 1:8 stainless steel SPR upper w/ PRI carbon fiber forend
Front sight is a PRI flip up
Ops Inc 12th Model muzzle brake
Brownells "Infidel" dust cover

Not sure on the weight, but it's a bit heavy. I'm glad I went with the UBR on the rear as it balances out the weight in the front.

I find the weight acceptable because this is more of a distance gun and I'll most likely be shooting from a bench or prone at steel at distance (I stuck a Harris bipod with Larue mount on the rail this morning).

On to the rest of the pics:

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Accuracy is quite good. I'm loading 62 FMJ mil-surp projectiles in mixed cases with 24.5 grains of Varget so I expect a bit of variance with those bullets.

Sighting in the Nightforce, I had groups of approximately 1.5 inches at 100 yards.

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With a 1:8 twist barrel, I picked up some Sierra 69 and 77 grain match bullets but have yet to load them (my project next week).

On Friday afternoon, I zeroed the scope, chronographed my standard load, and set up my Zero Stop on the Nightforce. Yesterday I went out to shoot steel up to 500 yards. I brought a JBM dope sheet with me and compared their estimates to what I was really dialing.

JBM had me within 1 MOA at all distances (200-500). The steel was 12x20". I was getting solid center hits at 200 and 300, with me taking the entire steel at 400 and 500. Either way, that steel is smaller than a mans chest so if I can hit that I shouldn't have problems with anything else that I might ask of it.

Examining the Nightforce optics, glass is like you would expect. Perfect. The NP-R2 reticle is MOA based and the scope has matching MOA knobs for easy "look through the scope" corrections. The reticle gives me 20 MOA on the bottom vertical without dialing...more than enough with the 62 grain bullets to get to 600 yards. Then again, how far are you really going to shoot a 223 Remington?

More pics to come as I shoot her...
 
She's a real beauty, just started my list this last week. I am also looking at a scope, but my build is on the cheap, basically a truck gun. Was curious about the choice of a scope vs. a red dot holo..? (why) Do love that dark earth look, i'm new to AR's. Just noticed where your from, i grew up in Andrews (1957-69).
 
Thank you. So far she's everything I was expecting her to be. Just need to fine tune the load a bit.

Was curious about the choice of a scope vs. a red dot holo..? (why)

For me, red dots are for 200 and in. I have an EOtech on a 9mm AR carbine and it's about a perfect match for what I do with it.

A real scope is for when I want to reach out a bit more. This gun was supposed to fill the gap between open sights/red dots and a true long range weapon. On my other AR, I bought a nice ACOG (TA33G-H) which is a 3x power with a BDC out to 600 yards. Unfortunately (LOL), that ACOG works properly and now I have two ARs with radically different sighting systems capable to a fairly good distance. Practically speaking, I can dial that Nightforce out to the limits of the elevation knob, but realistically speaking, 223 is the wrong caliber for anything over 600 yards. No big deal though...just build another gun. ;)

That UBR balancing out the back will be especially nice if you ever add that Ops 12th model suppressor

Yeah, that was in the back of my mind. I talked to Zak before I bought the brake/collar and asked about the Ops Inc suppressors. He mentioned that they were fairly heavy. Honestly, I liked the looks and read some good reviews so figured what the heck. Besides you can't have a Mk12 Mod 0 without a Ops Inc 12th Model. If I ever decide to suppress it, I'll just change it out to something that provides QD for that suppressor. Lastly, I'm thinking of a 300 Blackout next...and that would definitely be suppressed so I probably won't change this one.
 
Oh sorry I included no info....Upper and Lower is all Spike's Tactical....The lower is their "Zombie" edition with "Live, Dead and Undead" for the selector markings. I colored in the marking myself with my sons Crayola crayons..lol. I also added a few accessories and a very nice Lucid HD7 Optic...Started from scratch when I began the build. I haven't even shot here yet!
 
sappnasty,

I saw your pics in your original thread. I love the selector markings. Totally awesome.
 
Yeah, that was in the back of my mind. I talked to Zak before I bought the brake/collar and asked about the Ops Inc suppressors. He mentioned that they were fairly heavy.

Well, at the end of the day, hanging a pound or more of metal off the tip of your muzzle affects balance. There just isn't any easy way around that. The UBR does help though - as does moving the weight away from the very tip and reducing the amount of suppressor weight.

I've got a review of the 16th model suppressor and a comparison to the 12th model. I think you are limited to the 12th model if you've got a 12th model mount.
 
Awesome rifle. I'd of done everything the same, but the scope I'd of gotten nightforce's 1-4x.
 
esheato, you sure put that one together right. Good choice of scope too. It sounds like you got the trigger right for precision work too.

If you can't get the groups to tighten up any, try going to Winchester brass for your "serious" shooting. My BCM barrel really liked Reloader 15 too. What I found to be safe and accurate in my rifle was 24gr under the 77gr SMK and 25gr under the 69gr SMK in the Winchester brass using Remington 7.5 primers.
 
...but the scope I'd of gotten nightforce's 1-4x

I had decided on NF for sure...but I was originally debating between the 1-4 and the 2.5-10.

In the end, I figured I could use my other rifle with the ACOG for the 1x requirements. Besides, I hardly ever want less power...usually more.

My BCM barrel really liked Reloader 15 too. What I found to be safe and accurate in my rifle was 24gr under the 77gr SMK and 25gr under the 69gr SMK in the Winchester brass using Remington 7.5 primers.

Fantastic! I'll give it a go. (Secretly I'm hoping it shoots those bullets horribly...as I don't want to pay for Sierra 500 packs....lol).
 
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esheato, I know what you mean. Everytime I rebarrel a rifle I almost pray that it will like the Hornadys better, but I've never had any such luck. Hey, the Sierras are better than buying Bergers.
 
Does that muzzle brake make the recoil more managable for you? :neener:

Seriously though, thats a really nice rifle. I really like that Mk12 clone. Someday, when I have more money, maybe one'll be in my future! :D
 
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